Franz tittmann



.the Empire of Austria-Hungary,

February 26, 1896;

dated April 29, 1895; in Italy, R. G., Vol.

UN TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FPAXZ Tl'lTMANN, OF PODERSAl-ll, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY,

GUN-rBARREL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters latent No. 559,550, dated may 5,1896. Y

(No model.) Patented in France April 29,1895,No.246.972; in Belgium1895, No. 8,451; in Switzerland April 29, 1895,110. 10,365; inNorway1895, No. 2,294;in Hungary May 11, 1896,1lo. 2,759; in Italy JuneApplication filed June 22,1895. Serial No. 553,648.

April 29,1895,No.115,350; in England April 29, April 29, 1895, No.4,283; in LuXemhurg April 30,

30, 1895,XXX, 38,731, LXXVTLGG; in Spain August 26,1895,N0. 17,373, andin Denmark February 26, 1896,110-417.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANZ TITTMANN, a subject of the Emperor of Austria,residing at Podersam, in the Province of Bohemia, in

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Barrels forShotguns, (for which I have obtained the following patents in foreigncountries: in Hungary, No. 2,759, dated May 11, 1895; in France, No.246,972,dated April 29, 1895; in Belgium, No. 115,350, dated April 29,1895; in England, No. 8,451, dated April 29, 1895; in Switzerland, No.10,365, dated April 29, 1895; in Denmark, No. 1'7, dated in Norway, No.4,283,

XXX, No. 38,731, R. A., Vol. LXXVI, No. 36, dated June 30, 1895; inLuxemburg, No.

2,294, dated April 30, 189.5, and in Spain, No.

17,373, dated August 26, 1895,) of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to improvements in the barrels of shotguns, and hasfor its special object to prevent or diminish the dispersion of theshots while they are leaving the muzzle. If the'volley of shotsdischarged from the barrel of a pistol-say Lancaster, caliber 16-iscompared with that discharged from the barrel of a shotgun of sameconstruction and caliber, and provided that both contained exactly thesame charge, then the following dilferences are observed: The shotsissued from the pistol show greater dispersion and less force ofpenetration, while the shots issued from the shotgun show greater forceof penetration and less dispersion. This (lifference is an apparentcontradiction. The greater force of penetration causes a grer-terresistance of the air, and consequently a deformation of the shots.Therefore the dispersion ought to be greater, while the contrary is thecase.

My invention is based upon the perception of this fact. The stateddifference in the force of penetration of the shots proves that thevelocity of the shots in the barrel of the shotgun increases from thepoint of the barrel corresponding with the muzzle of the pistol untilthey reach the muzzle of the shotgun-barrel. The dispersion of the shotsis m uzzle.

l owing to the fact that thefront portion of the column of theshots,'while being just beyond the muzzle,is no longer laterallyrestrained by the inner walls of the barrel and is retarded by meetingthe resistance of the air, while the rear portion of the column, whichis still within the barrel, is forced forward into the front portion,thus causing it to spread laterally. In order to prevent this,l haveconstructed a 'novel barrel for shotguns which is provided with one ormore openings near the muzzle of the barrel, and if more than one areprovided then the openings are at equal distance from the muzzle. Theopeningor openings form an outlet for the powder-gases, thus diminishingtheir pressure while the column of shot is issuing from the muzzle.

My invention thus lieve of acceleration the shots.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-Figure l is a perspective View of the front portion of a double barrelwith openings a in each barrel and at equal distance from the Fig. 2 isa perspective view of a double barrel, of which one is in section,showing an elongated opening a communicating with both barrels. Fig. 3-is a perspective view of a double barrel with projecting tubularportions 1), of which each communicates by a slit 1) with the interiorhaving round openings 1) on the muzzle. Fig. 3 is a front elevation ofthe muzzle of Fig. Fig. 4 is a modification of Fig. 3, partly insection, showing the projecting tubular portion 0, which elfeots anartificial refor the rear portion of forms a canal and communicates withthe interior of the barrel byopenin gs 0'.

. I do not limit myself, however, to any form or shape of theseopenings. They may also be annular, square, polygonal, or of any othersuitable shape. The location and the area of the openings necessarilyvary with the dimensions and style of the barrels. They depend, further,upon the caliber and the form of the barrel, whether it be conical orcylindrical. They depend also upon the interior of the barrel, whetherit be rough or smooth,

and of the nature of the explosive substance employed. There is,further, a certain relation between the area or sizeof'the opening andthe distance of the same from the muzzle. Distance and area of theopening vary in a retrograde ratio. For instance, a barrel having asmall opening. at greater distance from the muzzle is as efiective asa'barrel with a larger opening nearer to the muzzle.

Forexample, a barrel of about; five-eighths of an inch .zcaliber mayadvantageously be provided with an outlet of about one-eighth of an inchin diameter at a distance of about two inches from the muzzle. All theopen ings, however, must be provided at such distance from the muzzlethat the discharge of thepowder-gases begins just in that moment inwhich the first portion of shot begins to issue from the muzzle or rightbefore this moment. If it is .feared .that' the barrel is weakened bythese openings when heavy charges of powder .orother explosives areemployed, then the-same may be provided with strengthening bands orrings.

Having thus described my invention, what by'Letters Patent, is-

1. A double barrel for shotguns provided near the muzzles with anelongated opening which communicates-with both barrels, substantially asdescribed and for the purpose set forth.-

I claim therein as new, and desire to secure 2. "A barrel for shotgunsprovided with pro jecting tubular portions on the front part of thebarrel of which each communicates with the interior by a slit throughoutthe whole 3. A barrel for shotguns being provided with projectingtubular portions on the front part of the barrel forming canals whichcommunicate with the interior of the barrel by openings, as specified.In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in presence of twosubscribing witnesses. I

' FRANZ TITTMANN, \Vitnesses: V g

TAROSLAU CIETEL, SAM FIsoHER- vlength of the tubular portion and havingan opening at the front end, as specified.

